Hardwood flooring comes in three forms: solid, engineered, and acrylic-impregnated. Consider the appearance, durability, and functionality of each before deciding which is best for you.

You’ve decided to install hardwood floors in your home, office, or shop, but now you need to know what type to choose. There are three types of hardwood floors—solid, engineered, and acrylic-impregnated. Each has different qualities, and these should be considered based on the function and design of the room where the flooring will be installed.

Solid hardwood is probably the most commonly known and comes in three forms. The first form is called strip flooring— the most popular of the solid wood types. The thickness of the strips varies, but the width always stays the same. Plank flooring, the second type, comes in many widths but only two thicknesses. Though not much different from strip flooring, it offers a stylized look due to its width and can be more expensive. The third and final type of solid wood is called parquet. This is very different from both strip and plank because the wood is composed of small pieces arranged in geometric or decorative patterns. Parquet flooring is unique because you not only get the beauty of the wood grain, but also amazing mosaic-like patterns. All of the solid woods can be re-sanded and refinished, and last a long time. However, they also all require more upkeep than the other hardwood types. In addition, all of the solid woods respond to seasonal changes in moisture, contracting and expanding as the heat and humidity change.

Engineered flooring is made of several thin layers of wood which are glued together, then fused with heat and pressure. Because of the way it is manufactured, engineered wood is very durable. It is also less susceptible to expansion and shrinkage than the solid woods are when exposed to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Some brands of engineered wood can’t be re-sanded, but can be re-coated. Other brands have a thicker coating, which allows for both re-sanding and refinishing. This can extend the life of the flooring by many years.

Acrylic-impregnated wood is made from real wood that is permeated with acrylic resin and then exposed to pressure. This type of flooring is very tough— up to 300 percent harder than natural hardwood. Acrylic wood is highly resistant to scratches and moisture, making it a perfect choice for an office or shop that gets a lot of foot traffic.

Whichever hardwood you choose, you’ll be amazed at how warm and welcoming your room feels after it is installed. For more information on general contractor in San Diego, visit this website.

Before your contractor picks up a hammer you need to be clear on what your goals and budget are for a remodel. To stay on track, create a checklist of the following items and work through each one before moving on to the next.

Make a list of needs

Write down a list of all the things that need to be done on the house. Then prioritize each item in order of importance. If you need to cut spending anywhere, start with the least important.

Figure out your budget

Try to come up with a general figure you can spend. Most likely the remodel will exceed this amount, so cushion it by about 10 percent. Once you get an estimate from your contractor you’ll have a better idea of what your budget will allow.

Research contractors

This is one of the most important details in your preparation. To start looking for a good company, ask your friends and co-workers for references. Make sure you interview any potential contractors before you sign paperwork. This company will be in your home, so you want to make sure you are comfortable with them!

4.Get clear

Make sure you know what you want before work starts. Each time you change your mind after the project begins, you delay the project and potentially increase costs. Your contractor can help with questions and concerns.

Working with a checklist like this will help any remodel go smoother and cost less. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing you made well-informed decisions in advance of the work being done.

Granite and marble are both stones that look beautiful in the home as floor tiles, backsplashes, countertops, accents, or fireplace surrounds. Both offer a feeling of sophistication to a room, but the similarities end there. These two stones are formed differently, and thus have different qualities. Choosing the right stone is easy once you learn about these differences.

Marble

This stone is formed in the bottom of bodies of water. Made largely from the remnants of calcium sediments like shells, animal skeletons, and silt, it takes millions of years and tons of pressure for the sediment to harden and become stone. Because marble is formed under pressure, it is porous. This makes it a poor choice for kitchen counter tops because it can stain. Despite its porosity, it is a durable product. Marble works great in bathrooms, as accents, or around a fireplace. Marble usually comes in black or white, with marbling throughout.

Granite

Granite is formed deep in the earth from molten lava. As the lava rises, it cools and hardens. Because granite is formed in an intense heat environment it is harder than marble and less porous. This makes it great for many applications including flooring, backsplashes, and countertops. Granite comes in two styles— consistent and variegated. Consistent has roughly the same pattern throughout the slab, whereas variegated has veining or swirling patterns of different colors.

No matter which stone you choose, you will love the elegant look at feel of the stone. To learn more about concrete slabs in San Diego for your home, visit this website.

Structural damage to your home can have devastating and costly effects. Luckily, you can avoid damage caused by water with a few simple prevention measures.

1- Ensure good drainage

Clean your gutters each year. When gutters are full of plant debris like leaves and moss, water can’t travel down the spout and away from the house. Even areas that don’t experience a lot of rain can have problems. One inch of rain produces around 600 gallons of water from a roof measuring only 1,000 square feet.

Add extenders to your drain spouts so water is moved at least 10 feet away from the house.

If you have any areas near the foundation where water pools after it rains, install a simple French drain to move water to another area of the yard.

2-Fix any water leaks

Inspect the roof each year for missing or damaged shingles. If you find any, replace immediately. Even if you don’t have any problems with your roof, look at your ceiling for any dark spots which indicate a leak. Lastly, check for dripping pipes under sinks, near laundry areas, and around all outdoor faucets.

3- Make sure your soil slopes away from the house.

Soil that is flat or slopes toward the house encourages water to drain around the foundation. Coupled with poor soil drainage and you have all the ingredients for a problem. Re-grade your soil if necessary, sloping it away from the house for at least five feet.